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The future of Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney remains unclear with transfer deadline day fast approaching.
Middlesbrough have shown signs of promise under Rob Edwards after their disappointing pre-season campaign.
Boro beat Millwall 3-0 at the weekend, in a Lions defeat which Alex Neil deemed “really cheap”.
Middlesbrough’s winning start to the Championship season has been mirrored by their increased quality of business in the summer transfer window following Boro’s loan signing of Sverre Nypan from Manchester City.
However, the uncertain future of in-demand Hayden Hackney still shrouds the Riverside, but Edwards’ comments about the homegrown talent will excite the Middlesbrough faithful.
Rob Edwards comments on Hayden Hackney amid transfer interest
Earlier this month, Hackney turned down Ipswich Town after holding talks with the Tractor Boys with an offer of around £20m accepted for the midfielder.
EFL Analysis exclusively revealed afterwards that Middlesbrough want Hackney to leave this summer, ideally to a Premier League club, with Boro in need of money as the English youth international represents pure profit in PSR terms.
Despite this, Edwards has reintegrated Hackney to first-team matters this season, with the 23-year-old featuring in both Championship wins and as a substitute in the 4-0 Carabao Cup loss to Doncaster Rovers.
After Hackney scored the first of three Boro goals at the Den with a clever low finish, Edwards lifted the lid on Hackney’s professionalism amid his transfer saga.
As quoted by the Hartlepool Mail via the PA News Agency, Edwards said: “I thought Hayden was excellent. Loads of energy, loads of quality, desire, passion and he won a lot of duels.
“His running was really good, that’s the best he’s looked since he’s come back from the success that he had with the national team.
“You can see it out there that he loves the club and he’s been extremely professional, so I couldn’t be happier with him.
“The way I see things right now is he’s here with us, he loves this place, I thought his performance showed that.”
- READ MORE: Alex Neil outlines what he won’t ‘accept’ at Millwall after crushing Middlesbrough defeat
Sverre Nypan could be temporary Hayden Hackney replacement for Middlesbrough
With Hackney knocking back Ipswich’s offer, it highlights that the midfielder is holding out for a move to the Premier League or another European top flight.
As EFL Analysis exclusively revealed earlier this summer, Manchester United and Tottenham have tracked Hackney, as well as the likes of Rangers and Porto.
Middlesbrough’s recent loan signing of Norwegian starlet Nypan from Man City could help mitigate the potential loss of Hackney.
After joining on loan from Man City, Nypan told Boro that he is a “pretty physical player, but mostly technical” central midfielder, therefore possessing an eerily similar playstyle and profile to Hackney.
The arrival of Nypan could facilitate Hackney’s departure, but all parties involved need to complete a swift conclusion to the transfer saga with deadline day less than two weeks away.